Courses and Syllabi
The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes.
Art History Spring 2027
Undergraduate
ARTH 101: Introduction to the Visual Arts (3 Credits)
Introduction to the content and principles of the visual arts. Approach varies with instructor. Offered by History & Art History. Limited to three attempts.
Mason Core: Mason Core, Arts
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
3 Sections Currently Scheduled
- ARTH 101 - 001: Introduction to Visual Arts — Lisa Passaglia Bauman — 03:00 PM to 04:15 PM MW - Innovation Hall 103
- ARTH 101 - 002: Introduction to Visual Arts — Angela Ho — 01:30 PM to 02:45 PM TR
- ARTH 101 - DL1: Introduction to Visual Arts — Julia Wheeler - Online
ARTH 102: Symbols and Stories in Art (3 Credits)
Introduces themes and imagery in art. Approaches and traditions to explore vary with the instructor. Offered by History & Art History. Limited to three attempts.
Mason Core: Mason Core, Arts
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
1 Section Currently Scheduled
- ARTH 102 - DL1: Symbols/Stories in Art — Chris A. Gregg - Online
ARTH 103: Introduction to Architecture (3 Credits)
Introduces study, principle, and understanding of art of architecture. Approach varies with instructor; may be historical, geographical, technical, or thematic. Notes: Field trips required. Offered by History & Art History. Limited to three attempts.
Mason Core: Mason Core, Arts
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
1 Section Currently Scheduled
- ARTH 103 - 001: Introduction to Architecture — Lisa Passaglia Bauman — 12:00 PM to 01:15 PM MW - Horizon Hall 3010
ARTH 104: Design in the 20th Century (3 Credits)
This class will offer a chronological overview of the history of design in the 20th century, including industrial design, communication design, interior and landscape architecture, as well as corporate branding and new media from each period/major design movement. Topics discussed will include major design styles and movements, significant designers, manufacturers, and design-related companies, innovations in technology and material use, and the development of sales, marketing, and user-focused design. Offered by History & Art History. Limited to three attempts.
Mason Core: Mason Core, Arts
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
1 Section Currently Scheduled
- ARTH 104 - 001: Design in the 20th Century — Lisa Passaglia Bauman — 10:30 AM to 11:45 AM MW - Horizon Hall 3010
ARTH 200: History of Western Art before 1400 (3 Credits)
Major periods, monuments, and themes of Western art and architecture. Introduces Washington, D.C., museum collections and a historical framework for further study in art history. Covers prehistory, the ancient world, and the Middle Ages. Notes: Designed as a two-course sequence, but each part may be taken independently without prerequisite. Offered by History & Art History. Limited to three attempts.
Mason Core: Mason Core, Arts
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
1 Section Currently Scheduled
- ARTH 200 - DL1: Hist Western Art before 1400 — Laura McCloskey Wolfe - Online
ARTH 201: History of Western Art 1400 to Present (3 Credits)
Major periods, monuments, and themes of Western art and architecture. Introduces Washington, D.C., museum collections and a historical framework for further study in art history. Covers the art of the Renaissance, the baroque period, and modern Europe and the Americas. Notes: Designed as a two-course sequence, but each part may be taken independently without prerequisite. Offered by History & Art History. Limited to three attempts.
Mason Core: Mason Core, Arts
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
1 Section Currently Scheduled
- ARTH 201 - DL1: History West Art 1400-Present — Julia Wheeler - Online
ARTH 203: Survey of Asian Art (3 Credits)
Introduces the arts of South, Southeast, and east Asia. Examines aspects of the culture and history of Asia. Discusses monuments and artifacts in a variety of media and their relation to social and historical contexts. Offered by History & Art History. Limited to three attempts.
Mason Core: Mason Core, Arts
Specialized Designation: Non-Western Culture
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
1 Section Currently Scheduled
- ARTH 203 - 001: Survey of Asian Art — Xi Zhang — 10:30 AM to 11:45 AM TR - Blue Ridge Hall 129
ARTH 311: Design of Cities (3 Credits)
Explores problems in urban design in a particular geographical region or historical period. Approach varies with instructor and may involve archaeological or theoretical approaches appropriate to the specific context. Notes: May be repeated when topic is different. Offered by History & Art History. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 6 credits.
Mason Core: Mason Core, Arts
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
1 Section Currently Scheduled
- ARTH 311 - DL1: The Ancient City — Chris A. Gregg - Online
ARTH 315: Modern Architecture (3 Credits)
This course covers the history of modern architecture in the Western world from the mid-19th century to the present. Introduces movements such as Art Nouveau, Futurism, Modernism, and Post-Modernism in their political, social, and cultural contexts. Offered by History & Art History. Limited to three attempts.
Mason Core: Mason Core, Arts
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
1 Section Currently Scheduled
- ARTH 315 - 001: Modern Architecture — Sun-Young Park — 12:00 PM to 01:15 PM TR - Art & Design Building L008
ARTH 319: Art and Archaeology of the Ancient Near East (3 Credits)
Investigates the art, archaeology, and culture of the ancient Near East with a focus on Mesopotamia between 3500 BCE and 331 BCE. Offered by History & Art History. Limited to three attempts.
Mason Core: Mason Core, Global Understanding
Specialized Designation: Non-Western Culture
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
1 Section Currently Scheduled
- ARTH 319 - 001: Art of Ancient Near East — Jacquelyn Williamson — 03:00 PM to 04:15 PM TR - Innovation Hall 208
ARTH 343: The Art of Venice (3 Credits)
This course studies Venetian society and culture through the visual arts. Venice was a center of maritime trade in the late medieval and early modern Europe. Situated on the northeast coast of Italy, Venice was a hub for merchants, pilgrims, diplomats, soldiers, and sailors traveling around the Mediterranean region. These encounters shaped Venice’s rich visual and material culture, which integrated features from other parts of Italy, northern Europe, the Byzantine Empire, Ottoman Turkey, North Africa, and Classical Greece and Rome into a distinctive aesthetic. In this course, we will study the major monuments (e.g., the church of San Marco and the Ducal Palace) and the celebrated artists (e.g., the Bellini family, Titian, Palladio, and Tiepolo). We will also consider other media that are often left out of art history surveys but were equally important to Venetian art, including the city’s famous glass production, luxury textile industry, print and publishing, and mosaics. Offered by History & Art History. Limited to three attempts.
Mason Core: Mason Core, Arts
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
1 Section Currently Scheduled
- ARTH 343 - 001: The Art of Venice — Angela Ho — 10:30 AM to 11:45 AM TR - Innovation Hall 208
ARTH 373: Studies in 20th-Century Art of the United States (3 Credits)
Developments in 20th-century American visual culture across all media. Notes: May be repeated when topic is different. Offered by History & Art History. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 6 credits.
Mason Core: Mason Core, Arts
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
1 Section Currently Scheduled
- ARTH 373 - 001: The Black Renaissance in Amer — LaNitra M Berger — 01:30 PM to 02:45 PM MW - Innovation Hall 208
ARTH 374: Art Now (3 Credits)
Explores visual art production since the late twentieth century. Examines social, institutional, and political issues in recent art. Specific topics and assignments vary with the instructor. Offered by History & Art History. Limited to three attempts.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
2 Sections Currently Scheduled
- ARTH 374 - DL1: Art Now — Heather M McGuire — 01:30 PM to 02:45 PM TR - Online
- ARTH 374 - DL2: Art Now — Heather M McGuire — 12:00 PM to 01:15 PM TR - Online
ARTH 383: Arts of Southeast Asia (3 Credits)
Examines various cultural and artistic traditions of ancient Southeast Asia, from the earliest archaeological evidence to onset of colonialism. Lectures and discussions focus on material culture of the great civilizations that arose within borders of modern Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, Burma (Myanmar), Vietnam, Laos, and Malaysia. Offered by History & Art History. Limited to three attempts.
Mason Core: Mason Core, Arts
Specialized Designation: Non-Western Culture
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
1 Section Currently Scheduled
- ARTH 383 - 001: Arts of Southeast Asia — Robert DeCaroli — 12:00 PM to 01:15 PM MW - Innovation Hall 208
ARTH 385: Arts of Japan (3 Credits)
Art and architecture of Japan, with particular attention to the ways political changes, religious movements, and social developments influenced and shaped those creations. Discusses monuments and artifacts in a variety of media in relation to social and historical contexts. Offered by History & Art History. Limited to three attempts.
Mason Core: Mason Core, Global Understanding
Specialized Designation: Non-Western Culture
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
1 Section Currently Scheduled
- ARTH 385 - DL1: Arts of Japan — Laura McCloskey Wolfe - Online
ARTH 430: Advanced Studies in Medieval or Islamic Art (3 Credits)
Studies a single topic in medieval or Islamic art. May focus on a particular period, region, or medium, or may explore cultural interconnections within medieval Eurasian world. Notes: May be repeated when topic is different. Offered by History & Art History. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 12 credits.
Mason Core: Mason Core, Writing Intensive in Major
Specialized Designation: Topic Varies
Recommended Prerequisite: ENGH 302 and a 300-level course in medieval or Islamic art, or permission of instructor.
Schedule Type: Seminar
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
1 Section Currently Scheduled
- ARTH 430 - 001: Networks of Art Production in the Middle Ages — Heidi Catherine Gearhart — 04:30 PM to 07:10 PM T - Peterson Hall 2411
ARTH 482: RS: Advanced Studies in Asian Art (3 Credits)
Seminar-style discussions on a specific topic in Asian art. May focus on the art of a particular period, movement, reign, or region, as well as theoretical issues or works in a particular medium. Notes: May be repeated when topic is different. Offered by History & Art History. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 6 credits.
Mason Core: Mason Core, Writing Intensive in Major
Specialized Designation: Research/Scholarship Intensive, Topic Varies, Non-Western Culture
Recommended Prerequisite: ENGH 302, and 3XX-level course in any area of Asian art; or permission of instructor.
Schedule Type: Seminar
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
1 Section Currently Scheduled
- ARTH 482 - 001: Cave Temples of Asia — Robert DeCaroli — 04:30 PM to 07:10 PM W - Innovation Hall 328
ARTH 494: The Museum (3 Credits)
Examines history, theory, practice, ethics, and current problems of collecting and displaying art and artifacts to the public. Emphasizes issues central to museums in Washington, D.C., or museums in other locations; focus varies with instructor. Offered by History & Art History. Limited to three attempts.
Mason Core: Mason Core, Mason Apex, Synthesis
Recommended Prerequisite: Completion of or concurrent enrollment in ENGH 302.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
1 Section Currently Scheduled
- ARTH 494 - 001: The Museum — Jacquelyn Williamson — 04:30 PM to 07:10 PM R - Horizon Hall 1009
ARTH 499: Advanced Studies in Art History (3 Credits)
Seminar-style discussion on specific subjects in art history. Notes: May be repeated when topic is different. Offered by History & Art History. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 6 credits.
Mason Core: Mason Core, Writing Intensive in Major
Recommended Prerequisite: ENGH 302 and 3XX level course in Art History; or permission of instructor.
Schedule Type: Seminar
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
1 Section Currently Scheduled
- ARTH 499 - DL1: Advanced Studies in Art Hist — Anu Aneja — 04:30 PM to 07:10 PM W - Online
ARTH 311: Design of Cities (3 Credits)
Explores problems in urban design in a particular geographical region or historical period. Approach varies with instructor and may involve archaeological or theoretical approaches appropriate to the specific context. Notes: May be repeated when topic is different. Offered by History & Art History. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 6 credits.
Mason Core: Mason Core, Arts
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
1 Section Currently Scheduled
- ARTH 311 - DL1: The Ancient City — Chris A. Gregg - Online
ARTH 373: Studies in 20th-Century Art of the United States (3 Credits)
Developments in 20th-century American visual culture across all media. Notes: May be repeated when topic is different. Offered by History & Art History. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 6 credits.
Mason Core: Mason Core, Arts
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
1 Section Currently Scheduled
- ARTH 373 - 001: The Black Renaissance in Amer — LaNitra M Berger — 01:30 PM to 02:45 PM MW - Innovation Hall 208
ARTH 430: Advanced Studies in Medieval or Islamic Art (3 Credits)
Studies a single topic in medieval or Islamic art. May focus on a particular period, region, or medium, or may explore cultural interconnections within medieval Eurasian world. Notes: May be repeated when topic is different. Offered by History & Art History. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 12 credits.
Mason Core: Mason Core, Writing Intensive in Major
Specialized Designation: Topic Varies
Recommended Prerequisite: ENGH 302 and a 300-level course in medieval or Islamic art, or permission of instructor.
Schedule Type: Seminar
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
1 Section Currently Scheduled
- ARTH 430 - 001: Networks of Art Production in the Middle Ages — Heidi Catherine Gearhart — 04:30 PM to 07:10 PM T - Peterson Hall 2411
ARTH 482: RS: Advanced Studies in Asian Art (3 Credits)
Seminar-style discussions on a specific topic in Asian art. May focus on the art of a particular period, movement, reign, or region, as well as theoretical issues or works in a particular medium. Notes: May be repeated when topic is different. Offered by History & Art History. May be repeated within the term for a maximum 6 credits.
Mason Core: Mason Core, Writing Intensive in Major
Specialized Designation: Research/Scholarship Intensive, Topic Varies, Non-Western Culture
Recommended Prerequisite: ENGH 302, and 3XX-level course in any area of Asian art; or permission of instructor.
Schedule Type: Seminar
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
1 Section Currently Scheduled
- ARTH 482 - 001: Cave Temples of Asia — Robert DeCaroli — 04:30 PM to 07:10 PM W - Innovation Hall 328
ARTH 499: Advanced Studies in Art History (3 Credits)
Seminar-style discussion on specific subjects in art history. Notes: May be repeated when topic is different. Offered by History & Art History. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 6 credits.
Mason Core: Mason Core, Writing Intensive in Major
Recommended Prerequisite: ENGH 302 and 3XX level course in Art History; or permission of instructor.
Schedule Type: Seminar
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
1 Section Currently Scheduled
- ARTH 499 - DL1: Advanced Studies in Art Hist — Anu Aneja — 04:30 PM to 07:10 PM W - Online
Graduate
ARTH 593: Internship in Art History (3-6 Credits)
Internship with a professional arts institution, organization, or individual in the Washington, D.C., area. Project to be arranged by student in consultation with faculty instructor and field supervisor. Notes: Recommended for advanced art history students seeking exposure to professional work in visual arts. Offered by History & Art History. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 6 credits.
Recommended Prerequisite: BA or equivalent or permission of instructor.
Registration Restrictions:
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
Schedule Type: Internship
Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
1 Section Currently Scheduled
- ARTH 593 - 001: Intern Art History — Jacquelyn Williamson - Biomedical Research Laboratory
ARTH 594: The Museum (3 Credits)
Examines history, theory, practice, ethics, and current problems of collecting and displaying art and artifacts to the public. Emphasizes issues central to museums in Washington, D.C., or museums in other locations. Focus may vary with instructor. Offered by History & Art History. May not be repeated for credit.
Recommended Prerequisite: Baccalaureate degree or permission of instructor.
Registration Restrictions:
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
1 Section Currently Scheduled
- ARTH 594 - 001: The Museum — Jacquelyn Williamson — 04:30 PM to 07:10 PM R - Horizon Hall 1009
ARTH 599: Special Topics in Art History (1-6 Credits)
Topics vary. Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic is different. Offered by History & Art History. May be repeated within the term.
Specialized Designation: Topic Varies
Recommended Prerequisite: Baccalaureate degree or permission of instructor.
Registration Restrictions:
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
Schedule Type: Seminar
Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
3 Sections Currently Scheduled
- ARTH 599 - 001: Networks of Art Production in the Middle Ages — Heidi Catherine Gearhart — 04:30 PM to 07:10 PM T - Peterson Hall 2411
- ARTH 599 - 002: Cave Temples of Asia — Robert DeCaroli — 04:30 PM to 07:10 PM W - Innovation Hall 328
- ARTH 599 - DL1: Sexing the Arts — Anu Aneja — 04:30 PM to 07:10 PM W - Online
ARTH 601: Colloquium in Art History (3 Credits)
Offers graduate-level survey in academic art history led by an instructor of record, with input from full Art History faculty. Participants review the current field through lectures, focused readings and group discussions with relevant faculty member. Participants may read in more depth in areas of special interest. Provides preparation for MA exams and professional preparation for teaching. Offered by History & Art History. May not be repeated for credit.
Recommended Prerequisite: Admission to the MA Program in Art History.
Registration Restrictions:
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
1 Section Currently Scheduled
- ARTH 601 - 001: Colloquium in Art History — Chris A. Gregg — 04:30 PM to 07:10 PM M - Blue Ridge Hall 127
ARTH 599: Special Topics in Art History (1-6 Credits)
Topics vary. Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic is different. Offered by History & Art History. May be repeated within the term.
Specialized Designation: Topic Varies
Recommended Prerequisite: Baccalaureate degree or permission of instructor.
Registration Restrictions:
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
Schedule Type: Seminar
Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
3 Sections Currently Scheduled
- ARTH 599 - 001: Networks of Art Production in the Middle Ages — Heidi Catherine Gearhart — 04:30 PM to 07:10 PM T - Peterson Hall 2411
- ARTH 599 - 002: Cave Temples of Asia — Robert DeCaroli — 04:30 PM to 07:10 PM W - Innovation Hall 328
- ARTH 599 - DL1: Sexing the Arts — Anu Aneja — 04:30 PM to 07:10 PM W - Online